We'll be in Tuscany 16 days in October, based near Siena but driving all around.
Airalo Discovery+ promises voice, text, and data; 15 day package for $44; unlimited data but throttled after 3gb/day.
Copilot AI warns that Airalo's rural coverage is weak.
Also looking for alternatives providing voice/text/data.
JC
Bumping this back up. I haven’t yet used Airalo in Italy, but have in many other countries, with no problem. However, I also normally just live with data and WhatsApp and WiFi. So I haven’t used the Discovery+ with a phone number. Airalo simply routes you to a local provider - so if there is limited coverage for all cell data, you would also experience that with Airalo.
Thanks.
Have you encountered the situation where you send a text in WhatsApp but the recipient doesn't have that app? Can they read and respond normally? I know for Zoom/etc. both ends have to have it -- not so for texts?
Also I just saw a plan from eSIM.net that offers the following:
- 30GB data across Europe
- 30 days from first use
- 50 mins + 100 texts
- UK +44 EE number
All for $21.33 US, which is a third of the Discovery+ plan. My use would be well within those limits.
Copilot AI warns that Airalo's rural coverage is weak.
It won't be that Airalo's rural coverage will be weak, since it will piggyback on a local Italian network.
I think all eSIM providers are pretty good - I've used Nomad, and also my UK provider, Giiffgaff, in Italy, but once again they will use whatever is available in Italy.
Both parties need WhatsApp. If I really needed to send a text, I'd send it using my regular provider using the dual SIM facility.
Nomad does a 10GB plan for £13.73, which is probably all you need - you can easily top up on the go if you run out.
We were in Tuscany last year and used a Airalo ESIM data only option. (30 day plan 10gb - we were there about 16 days). Our plan did not include a separate phone number for voice calls. (Of course you could use data connection to an internet/data based app like iPhone FaceTime Voice or WhatsApp). We did not have any significant issues. We were in several locations big and small in the Tuscany region. Just like in the US there are some locations where service is better than others.
Looking at the description of the plan you are looking at it assigns a separate number for voice calls. I point this out in case your expectation is that it would be as seamless as purchasing a plan from your cell provider and using your current number (I realize a more expensive option).
For calling people will need the Airalo #. Since we book tours and lodging in advance connecting with WhatsApp is easier since our current US phone number was used for reservations. Otherwise you will need to get any contacts your new Europe number. You might find some alternative ideas from users by looking at Reddit threads on the topic.
Thanks for the info.
I realize that I'd have a different number and that might pose some inconvenience. But I'm on a Verizon prepaid plan and they charge $10/day for their TravelPass. (There's a $100/month option for contract customers but not for prepaid.) So I could swap eSIMs if necessary and pay the $10. I don't want to pay $170 for the Verizon option if I can get an adequate substitute for about $20.
